Novel steroids and processes

ABSTRACT

NOVEL 12B-ALKYL-$4.9-GONADIENES OF THE FORMULA   12-X,13-R,17-(R1=)-GONA-4,9-DIEN-3-ONE   AND 12-ALKYL:$4.9.11-GONATREIENES OF THE FORMULA   12-X,13-R,17-(R1=)-GONA-4,9,11-TRIEN-3-ONE   WHEREIN R IS ALKYL OF 1 TO 3 CARBON ATOMS, X IS ALKYL OF 1 TO 3 CARBON ATOMS AND R1 IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF   (R2-O-),(H-); (R2-O-),(R3-); AND (HO-),(R3-)   WHEREIN R2 IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HYDROCARBYL OF 1 TO 10 CARBON ATOMS AND ACYL OF AN ORGANIC CARBOXYLIC ACID OF 1 TO 18 CARBON ATOMS AND R3 IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SATURATED HYDROCARBON OF 1 TO 6 CARBON ATOMS AND UNSATURATED HYDROCARBON OF 2 TO 6 CARBON ATOMS WHICH COMPOUNDS POSESS HORMONAL PROPERTIES AND TO TWO NOVEL PROCESSES FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND NOVEL INTERMEDIATES THEREFOR.

monal properties and to two novel processes for 3,810,885 NOVEL STEROIDS AND PROCESSES Robert Bucourt, Paris, Andre Pierdet, Noisy-le-Sec, Jean- Claude Gasc, Bondy, and Lucien Nedelec, Clichy-sousgois, France, assignors to Roussel-UCLAF, Paris,

rance No Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 782,425, Dec. 9, 1968. Thisapplication Oct. 4, 1971, Ser. No. 186,483 Claims priority, application France, l)ec. 12, 1967,

ABS'IRACT F mi mscms'm' Novel IZfl-aJkyI-MQ-gonadienes of theformula 1 wherein R is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, X is alky l of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and R is selected from the group consisting of and t .wherein R is selected from the group'eonsisting of hydrocarbyl of 1 to 10 carbon atomszaiidacyl'ofanorganic carboxylic acid of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and R is selected from the group consisting. of saturated hydrocarban of l to 6 carbon atoms and unsaturated hydrocarbon of 2 to 6 carbon atoms which compoundspo's'sess "hortheir preparation and'novel intermediates, therefor.

PRIOR APPLICATlON a l. 1'

This application is a continuation in-partof copending, commonly assigned Dec. 9, 1-968. 1 v

- A H STATEOF THE ART Known A -estratriene-3-ones have amark ed of androgenic and anabolic activity vas "reported by -Th.

Feyel-Cabannes. [AnnalesdEndocrinologie, vol. 26 (1965), p. 95] and Velluz et a1. [C. R. Ac'. Sci.,vol." 264 (1967),'p. 1396]. In particular, the 17a-methyl- A -n-estratriene-l7fi-ol-3-one is one-of the most active androgenic and anabolicagentsr yet known-xThe -compounds with an unsaturated side chain .such as l7a.-

Unit d S ate Paw 0 ice til-3-ones which are unsubstituted in the 12-p0sition but ethynyl or chloroethynyl derivatives have proges-' tomimetic activity or hypophysialinhibiting activity without showing an estrogenic eifectwhile the l7avinyl derivative possess" anabolic and "and genie activi the said compounds are anabolic agents with little androgenic activity and certain of the saidcompounds possess a progestative and anti-estrogenic activity.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide the novel A -gonatrienes of Formula Ia and the novel A -gonatriene's of Formula I'b.

a It is another object of the invention to provide novel intermediates for the compounds of Formulas Ia and Ib and'to novel processes for the preparation of the said compounds. It is another object of the invention to provide novel therapeutic compositions without any anabolic or progestative activity.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a novel method of inducing antiandrogenic activity in warm blooded animals.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become obvious from the following detailed description.

THE INVENTION The novel compounds of the invention are selected from the group consisting of novel 12fl-alky1-A -gonadiones of the formula and 12-a1kylA -gonatrienes of the formula i Ib wherein R is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, X is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and R is selected from the group consisting of v OR: 03: OH

{wherein R is selected, from the group consistingof hydrm carbyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and acyl of arr-organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 18 carbon atoms and R is selected from the group consisting of saturated hydrocarbon of l to 6 carbon atoms and unsaturated hydrocarbon of 2 to v6 carbon atoms. Preferably, Rand X are methyl,

ethyl or n-propyl.

R is preferably alkyl of i to 4 carbon atoms, cyeloalkyl of 3 .to 6 carbonatomaallrenyl of,2 to 4 carbon ,atoms, pheny1 and alkynyl and haloalkynyl of; 2 to 4 carbon; atoms. Specific groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, 70..

h tyh isvbu y t y y p py y -P P Y cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, v inyl, allyl, Z-methyl butynyl', butadiynyl, chloroethynyl and trifluoropropynyl.

R may be a hydrocarbyl of 1 to carbon atoms which may be lower alkyl such as methyl or ethyl; lower alkenyl such as vinyl, allyl or 2-methyl allyl; lower alkynyl such as propargyl; cycloalkyl of 5 to 7 carbons such as cyclo pentyl; cycloalkenyl such as cyclopentenyl or cycle hexenyl; phenyl lower alkyl such as benzyl; heterocyclic such as tetrahydropyranyl; or a CH OY wherein Y is lower alkyl such as methyl, propyl, lower alkenyl such as allyl, cycloalkyl alkyl such as cyclohexyl methyl or phenylalkyl such as benzyl.

Examples of suitable organic acids of 1 to 18 carbon atoms for R may be derived from an aliphatic, aromatic, cycloaliphatic or heterocyclic carboxylic acid. Examples of suitable acids are alkanoic acids, such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, isovaleric acid, trimethyl acetic acid, caproic acid, fi-trimethyl propionic acid, heptanoic acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, capric acid, undecyclic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid; alkenoic acids, such as undecylenic acid and oleic acid, cycloalkyl carboxylic acids, such as cyclopentyl carboxylic acid, cyclohexyl carboxylic acid; cycloalkyl alkanoic acids such as cyclopentyl acetic acid, cyclohexyl acetic acid, cyclopentyl propionic acid and cyclohexyl propionic acid; arylalkanoic acids, such as phenyl acetic acid and phenyl propionic acid; aryl carboxylic acids, such as benzoic acid and 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid; phenoxy alkanoic acids, such as phenoxy acetic acid, p-chlorophenoxy acetic acid, 2,4- dichlorophenoxy acetic acid, 4-ter-butylphenoxy acetic acid, 3-phenoxy propionic acid and 4-phenoxy butyric acid; heterocyclic carboxylic acids, such as furane-Z-carboxylic acid, S-terbutylfurane-Z-carboxylic acid, S-bromofurane-Z-carboxylic acid and nicotinic acids; fl-ketoalkanoic acids, such as acetylacetic acid, propionylacetic acid and butyryl-acetic acid; amino acids, such as diethylaminoacetic acid and aspartic acid.

Among the specific compounds of Formula Ia and lb are 1213-methyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estradiene-17,8-ol-3-one, 12-methyl-13 3-ethyl 17a ethynyl-A -gonatriene-17,3- ol-3-one, 12-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene-l7fi-ol-3- one, l2-methyl-l7B-acetoxy-A -estratriene-3-one, 12 methyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene-17 3-ol-3-one and 12, 17m-dimethyl-A -estratriene-17B-ol-3-one.

The introduction of alkyl of 1 to 3 carbons in the 12 position of the molecule drastically modifies the pharmacological activity of the molecule. The substitution of IZ-methyl in a compound of Formula Ib leads to a disappearance of androgenic or progestomimetic activity of the basic molecule and the appearance of a marked estrogenic activity as evidenced by estrogenic tests and which is manifested in male warm-blooded animals by an antiandrogenic activity. The appearance of estrogenic properties by the simple insertion of a 12- methyl group is therein unexpected since the insertion of a methyl in other positions such as 1 or 6 or 7 entrains either an enhancement or a relative attenuation of th androgenic activity. 1

The other compounds of Formula Ib and those of For mula Ia also possess estrogenic activity as well as hypophysial inhibiting activity which makes them antiovulation agents. They also show no androgenic activity in the Hershberger test and do not possess anti-androgenic ac tivity when administered with testosterone propionate.

The estrogenic activity of compounds of Formula Ia and lb make them useful for the treatment of insufficient estrogenic secretion and are useful in the treatment of retarded puberty or hypofolliculinia and in the treatment or prevention of biological and psychological effects of menopause.

One of the novel processes of the invention is the preparation of 12-X-13/8-R-A -gonatrienes of Formula Ib which comprises reacting a 13fl-R-A -gonatriene-17B- ol-3-one or its 1713-ester with a organometallic compound wherein the organo position is X as defined above to obtain the corresponding lZen-X-l3P-R-A 17p-o1-3-one. This compound can be either: (a) reacted with oxygento form the corresponding llfl-hydroperoxy- 12a-X-1BB-R-A -gonadiene-l7fl-ol-3-one, then reacted with a reducing agent to obtain the corresponding 12a-X-13p-R-A -gonadiene-1 113,17fi-diol-3-one, reacting the latter with a dehydration agent to form the corresponding 12-X-13fl-R-A 'u-gonatriene-17fl-ol-3-one; either (b) directly oxydized by means of substituted p-benzoquinone in an inert solvent as described in US. Pat. 3,453,267 to form the corresponding 12-X-13fl-R-A -gonatriene- 3-one. If desired the latter is reactedwith hydroxylamine or' O-lower alkylhydroxylamine to protect the 3-keto group and oxydized by means of a metallic oxydizing agent to form the corresponding 3-0ximino-12-X-l3 3-R- Al -gonatriene-17-one. The latter is reacted with an organometallic reagent where the organo is R to form the corresponding 3 0XiII1iI10-12-X-13/3-R-17-a-R -A gonatriene-17fi-ol and the latter is subjected to acid bydrolysis or an exchange reaction with a carbonyl derivative to obtain the corresponding 12-X-l3B-R-17a-R A -gonatriene-17 B-ol-3-one which may be reacted with an esterification agent or an etherification agent to obtain the compounds of Formula 15 with 17*a-OR In a variation of the process, the 3-keto group of 12-X- 13fl R-A -gonatriene-l7p-ol-3-one is protected by reaction with a ketalization agent to form the corresponding 3-K-12-X -13/3-R-A -gonadiene-l7,8 ol wherein X is the alkylidene of X and K is the ketal group, reacting the latter with an oxidation agent to form the corresponding 3 K-12-X -13q3-R-A -gonadiene-17-one, reacting the latter with an organometallic compound wherein the organo group is R to form the corresponding 3-K-12-X -1313-R-17a-R -A -gonadiene-1713-01 and subjecting the latter to acid hydrolysis to form the corresponding 12-X-13p-R-17 a R A -gonatriene-175-01-3- one which may be esterified or etherified in the l7-position.

The 13fi-R-A -gonatriene-17,3-01-3-ones, used as the starting material for the said process, are described in French Pat. No. 1380414 and NO. 1574693 and Belgian Pat. No. 644,138.

The introduction of the l2-al'kyl group into the 1318-11- A gonatriene-l7a-ol-3-one is effected preferably" with an alkyl magnesium halide of the formula X-MgHal where X has the above definition and Hal is a halogen such as bromine or iodine or with an alkyl lithium of the formula XLi. The said reaction is most preferably effected in the presence of a cuprous halide such as cuprous chloride at a temperature below 0 C. Instead of the 17cc-Ol starting compound, the alkanoyl or aroyl ester such as the acetate, propionate or benzoate may be used. The mechanism of the reaction between the organometallic derivative vand the unsaturated ketone of the steroid allows axial introduction of the X group to form the IZa-alkYlgonadiene.

The formation of the 11,3-hydroperoxy group is effected with pure oxygen or a mixture of gases containing oxygen such as air and is effected in a weakly basic media,

notablyin the presence of a tertiary aliphatic or cyclic amine such as pyridine or triethylamine.

The reduction of the, ll-hydroper'oxy is preferably effected with a lower alkyl phosphite such as trimethyl or triethyl phosphite in thepresence of a lower alkanol such as ethanol or methanol. The reducing agent may also be an alkali metal iodide such as potassium iodide in the presence of acetic acid and also a dialkyl sulfide. The dehydration of IZoc-X-13 3-R-A g0nadiene-11fi,17fidi0l may be effected with a strong mineral acid such as perchloric acid or sulfuric acid.

loweralkylene glycolor a dioxolane in the presence of, an

acid catalyst. 'Iheketalization is-accompanied by an isomerization of the double bond system, A to form the deconjugated 12-alkylene compound which is made possible by the presence of the substitutent in the l2-position.

The oxidation of the resulting 3-protected keto compound is effected in a basic or neutral media to prevent cleavage of the 3-protective group. The oxidation agent is preferably a ketone in the presence of an aluminum alcoholate by the Oppenauer method. The ketone may be a lower aliphatic ketone such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone or methyl isobutenyl ketone or a cycloalkanone such as cyclohexanone. The aluminum alcoholate is preferably a trialkanolate of an aluminum derivative of a lower alkanolate such as aluminum isopropylate or tertbutylate.

The oxidation of the 3-oximino-l2-X-13 3R-A gonatriene-17-one is preferably elfected with a metallic oxide in the presence of pyridine.

The introduction of the 17a-R group is effected-with an organo metallic reactant of the formula R -Mg-Hal where R and Hal have the above'definitions or an alkali metal derivative of theformula R -M where M is an alkali metal such as lithium, sodium or potassium.

To introduce a 17a-alkynyl group, the reactant is an alkynyl magnesium halide such as ethynyl magnesium halide or an alkynyl alkali metal such as alkali metal acetylides. When 13'p-R is an ethyl or propyl group, it is preferred to use an alkynyl alkali metal such .as potassium acetylide formed by bubbling acetylene through a potassium alkan'olate solution such as potassium tert.-butylate or with liquid ammonia containing potassium amide.

The regeneration of the 3-keto group is effected with acid hydrolysis with an organic sulfonic or carboxylic acid or a mineral acid in the presence of water such as aqueous hydrochloric acid or aceticacid. The 3-oximino group is preferably cleaved by exchange with an acid carbonyl such as glyoxylic acid or pyruvic acid.

The process of the invention for the preparation of a compound of Formula Ia comprises reacting a 12-X-13B- R-A -gonatriene-17/30l-3-one with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to form the corresponding 12p-X- 13fl-RA -gonadiene-17B-ol-3-one, reacting the latter with a protecting group to form the corresponding 3-K-12-X- 1313-R-A -gonadiene1713-01, reacting the latter with an oxidation gonadiene-17B-ol, reacting the latter with an organo metallic derivative wherein the organo is R, to form the corresponding 3 K 12 X 13/3-R-17a-R A -gonadiene-1718-01 and reacting the latter with an acid or effecting an exchange reaction with a carbonyl derivative to form the corresponding 12-X-l3fi-R17a -R A -gonadiene-17/8-ol-3-one of Formula 1a which will be etherified or esterified. 1

The starting materials for the second process are produced as intermediates in the preparation of compounds of Formula Ib. When X and R are methyl, the compounds are described in French BSM No. 6684M. I

The hydrogenation of the 12-X-13 3-R-A -gonatriene- 17B-ol3-one is preferably effected with a catalyst'bas'ed on palladium, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium or nickel. To insure the selectivity of the hydrogenation, the catalysts are partially deactivated such as by treatment with a heavy metal salt such as a salt of lead, bismuth or copper or by the addition of a nitrogen base such as pyridine, quinoline or triethylamine or by a combination of the two techniques.

The nickel based catalyst such as Raney nickel can be partially deactivated by treatment with an acid such as acetic acid. The hydrogenation of the steroid double bonds made at the tit-position results in the formation of the 12B-alkyl gonadiene.

The IZfi iilkYl configuration of thehydrogenation remolecular model shows that the presence of a 12a-alkyl substituent impedes the introduction of a l7a-substituent .which has been confirmed by experiments. The differences in the chemical and physical properties of the 12-alkyl- A -gonadienes produced by hydrogenation and the 12-alkyl-A -gonadienes produced by the above described alkylation reaction confirms that the latter has the 12a-a1kyl configuration.

The primary product of the hydrogenation is 12 3-X- 13;8-A -gonadiene-17fi-ol-3-one but the hydrogenation catalysts may also result in isomeration of the unsaturated compounds to obtain in variable proportions with certain catalysts the conjugated ketone, 12B-X-13fl- RA -gonadiene-17fl-ol-3-one. It is possible fromthe synthesis to obtain either of the said isomers or a mixture thereof.

' The step of protection of the 3-keto group which follows the hydrogenation is sometimes more difiicult to effect on the A -gonadiene than the A -gonadiene. Therefore the preferred catalyst is one which gives exclusively or predominantly the A -gonadiene isomer which is a pelladium based catalyst partially deactivated with a lead salt, preferably lead acetate. Such a catalyst is described by Lindlar [He1v., vol. 35 (1952), p. 446].

The protection of the 3-keto group may be effected by formation of a ketal or an oxime as discussed above. The formation of the 3-ketal also will isomerize the A -bond to th'e'A -system so both of the isomers resulting from the hydrogenation give the same products. The formulaof an oxime is not accompanied by an isomerization of the conjugated double bond so that the product will be either 3-K-12-methyl-13B-R-A -gonadiene-l7fl-ol+ or 3- K-12-methyl-lSB-R-A -gonadiene-175-01 or a mixture thereof depending upon the .hydrogenation product.

The oxidation of the 17-hydroxyl group and the introduction of the 17Ot-R group may be effected as discussed previously.

action product proves to be valuable in later stages for ethynylatiori in the 17a-posit'i'on. In effect, study of the:

The acid hydrolysis of the ketal of the 3-K-12-methyl- 13fl-R-17u-R -A -gonadiene-17fi-ol has to be effected with a strong acid for simultaneous hydrolysis and isomerization of the double bonds to the A -system. For example, sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid in a lower alkanol or perchloric acid in acetic acid may be used. Also suitable are a sulfonic acid ,suchas p-toluene-sulfonic acid or sulfonic resinsin theacid fornr such as commercial polystyrene sulfonic, acid or styrene-diviuyl benzene sulfonic polymers. When the 3-keto group is protected as an .Oxime, the hydrolysis is effected with an aqueous mineral or organic acid orby exchange with acarbonyl such as pyruvic acid, glyoxylic acid, glyoxal or formal. 1

- The esterification of the compounds of Formula Ia or Ib may be eifected by the usual methods by reactionwith a functional derivative of the acid such as the acid chloride or anhydride. The esterification can beeffected on the compound of Formula Ia or Ib or beforeregeneration of the 3-keto group as described in French Pat. No. 1,492,985.

The novel intermediates of the invention have the fol lowing formula;

wherein R and X have the above definitions such as methy1-A -estradiene-l7fi-ol-3-one and IZa-methyl-13fl-ethy1-A -gonadiened7}8-ol3-one.

wherein X and R have the above definitions and Y is hydroperoxy or hydroxy such as 12a-ethyl-1lpZ-hydroperoxy- A -estradiene-17fi-ol-3-one, IZa-methyl-l lfl-hydroperoxy- 13fi-ethyl-A -gonadiene-17p-ol-3-one, 12a ethyl-A -estradiene-l 113, 17fl-diol-3-one and 12a-methyl-13/3-ethyl- A -gonadiene-l1/8, 17fl-diol-3-one.

wherein R and X have the above definitions, Y; is oxygen when wherein X and R are defined as above, K is a ketal group and OH OH or x Y; is =0,

and R is as above such as 3,3-ethylenedioxy-12-rnethylene-lBfl-ethyl-A -gonadiene 17B ol, 3,3-ethylenedioxy-lZ-methylene 13/8 ethyl-A -gonadiene- 17-one and 3,3-ethylenedioxy-12-methylene-13p-ethyl- I OH wherein R and X have the above definitions such as 12 8- methyl-A estratriene-l7 8-ol-3-one and tective group for a ketone and on Y is =0,

wherein R is as above such as 3,3-ethylenedioxy-l2fimethyl-A estradiene 175 o1, 3,3-ethylenedioxy-lZp-methyl A estradiene-17-one and 3,3- ethylenedioxy-IZB-methyl 17a ethynyl-A -estradiene-17/3-ol.

The novel estrogenic compositions of the invention are comprised of an effective amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of a compound of Formula Ia and a compound of Formula Ib and a major amount of a pharmaceutical carrier. The usual useful daily dose is 0.02 to 2.5 mg. in the adult depending upon the mode of administration. The compositions may be in the form of injectable solutiions or suspensions in multi-dose fiacons or ampules, tablets, coated tablets, sublingual tablets, suppositories, pomades or creams prepared in the usual manner.

The novel method of inducing estrogenic activity in warm-blooded animals comprises administering to warmblooded animals a safe and effective amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of Formula Ia and Formula lb. The compounds may be administered orally, perlingually, topically, transcutaneously or rectally. The usual daily dose is 0.4 to 50 g/kg.

In the following examples there are described several preferred embodiments to illustrate the invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments.

EXAMPLE I Preparation of 12-methyl-17B-acetoxy-A -estratriene- 3-one Step A: 12a-methyl-A -estradiene-17p-ol-3-one 0.94 gm. of cuprous chloride was introduced into 300 cc. of 0.8 N solution of methylmagnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran and 300 cc. of tetrahydrofuran while maintaining a temperature of -2 C. under a nitrogen atmosphere and 15 gm. of A -estratriene-17/3-ol-3-one (described in French Pat. No. 1380414) were added thereto. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 0 C. and then one liter of N-hydrochloric acid was added thereto. The reaction mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and the organic phase was washed with water was neutral, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The 18 gm. of residue was purified by chromatography over silica gel with elution by a 1:1 mixture of benzene-ethyl acetate which eluate was evaporated to dryness. The residue was crystallized from ether to obtain 8.28 gm. of 12u-methyl-A -estradiene- 17fi-01-3-0ne having a melting point of C. The product occurred in the form of colorless needles soluble in the usual organic solvents and insoluble in water.

U.V. Spectrum in ethanol:

maximum at 240-241 mg;

E}? =7l0; e=20300 infl. towards 250 mu;

wherein X and R have the above definitions, K is a pro- As far as is known, the product is not described in the literature. V

Step B: 1Z-methyl-A -estratriene-17fl-ol-3sone I 7.8 gm. of IZamethyI-A -estradiene-17,B-ol-3- one were dissolved in 390 cc. of benzene with stirring and after the addition of 10 gm. of dichloro-dicyanobenzoquinone, the reaction mixture was stirred for 3%. hours at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was washed with an aqueous 0.1 N solution of sodium thiosulfate, then with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under vacuum to obtain 3.721 gm. of crude IZa-methyl A estratriene-l7a-ol-3-one. Treatment of the precipitate with 0.5 liter of N sodium hydroxide and 0.5 liter of 0.1 N sodium thiosulfate solution and extraction wiith benzene gave a second yield of 0.407 gm. of the 12-methyl derivative. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel and elution with a 1:1 mixture of benzene-ethyl acetate. The eluate was evaporated to dryness and residue was empasted in isopropyl ether to obtain 12-methyl-A -estratriene-17,8- o1-3-one having a melting point of 145 C.

The product which was colorless was soluble in acetone, benzene and chloroform slightly soluble in alcohol and ether and insoluble in water.

Ultraviolet Spectrum in ethanol:

max. at 244 m max. at 269 270 m max. at 283-284 mg infi. towards 299-300 mp.

Elfin- 171 As far as is known, this compound is not described in the literature.

Step C: 12-methyl-17,6-acetoxy-A -estratriene-3-one 0.82 gm. of 12-methyl-A -estratriene-17 3-ol-3-one was introduced into 4 cc. of pyridine and after the addition of 2 cc. of acetic acid anhydride thereto, the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 hours. The mixture was poured into a water-ice mixture and was extracted with methylene chloride. The organic phase was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness to obtain 0.993 gm. of raw 12- methyl 175 acetoxy-A -estratriene-3-one. The raw product was purified by chromatography over silica gel and elution with a 7:3 mixture of benzene-ethyl acetate.

The product which was a colorless solid was soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene and chloroform and insoluble in water.

U.V. Spectrum in ethanol:

max. at 242 mu max. at 267-270 mp infl. towards 285 111/].

10 max. at 350-351 m'p.

acetate at 1727 conjugated ketone:

complex band at 1662 and 1647 band at 1606 complex band at 1574 As far as is known, this product is not described in the literature.

EXAMPLE II Preparation of 12,17a-dimethyl-A -estratriene- 17fl-ol-3-one Step A: preparation of 3-oximino-12-methyl-A estratriene-17fl-ol 8.3 gm. of 12-methyl-A -estratriene-l7B-o1-3-one (of Example I) were dissolved in 220 cc. of ethanol and a solution of 24.5 gm. of sodium acetate and 11.4 g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in cc. of water was added thereto. The mixture was refluxed for 2 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere with stirring. After cooling the reaction mixture, it was added to a mixture of water and ice and after stirring for 30 minutes, the mixture was filtered. The precipitate was washed with water and dried at 60 C. to obtain 8.6 gm. of 3-oximino-12-methyl-A estratriene17p-ol in the form of pale yellow crystals having a melting point of -130 C. The product was soluble in ethanol and chloroform and insoluble in water. The compound was obtained as a mixture of syn and anti oxunes.

U.V. Spectrum in ethanol:

max. at 237-238 my.

max at 328 mp.

infi. towards 335 my.

Eg n 1125 LR. Spectrum (chloroform):

absence of C=0 conjugate presence of OH free (oxime) at. 3580 presence of conjugated C=C at 1601 and 1578 As far as is known, this compound has not been de scribed in the literature.

Step B: 3-oximino-12-methyl-A -estratriene-17-one 6.8 gm. of 3-oximino-12-methyl-A -estratriene-17fl- 01 were dissolved in one liter of toluene and cc. of cyclohexanone at reflux under a nitrogen atmosphere with stirring and then 20 cc. of solvent was evaporated off. A solution of 30 gm. of aluminum isopropylated in 2 liters of toluene was added to the reaction mixture while distilling 01$ 2 liters of solvent. After the addition of 200 cc. of water, excess cyclohexanone was entrained as a vapor over a period of 1 /2 hours. After cooling the mixture, 200 cc. of methylene chloride was added thereto, the alumina was filtered, and the filter washed with methylene chloride. The organic phase was washed with water and the aqueous phase was reextracted with methylene chloride and the combined organic phases were evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel andelution with chloroform containing 20% of acetone to obtain 4 gm. of 3-oximino-12-methyl- A -estratriene-l7-one in the form of orange crystals having a melting point of 210-220 C. The product was soluble in alcohol and chloroform and insoluble in water.

LR. Spectrum (chloroform):

presence of cyclopentanone at 1725'- presence of oxime presence of conjugated C=C at 1570 and 1598 U.V. Spectrum (ethanol): max. at 237 my.

iZia= infi. towards 310 m,u.

As far as is known, this product is not described in the literature.

Step C: 3-oximino-l2,17a-dimethy1-A estratriene-17fl-ol 650 cc. of 2 M methyl magnesium bromide solution in ether was stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere while adding thereto a solution of 3.7 gm. of 3-oximino-12- methy1-A -estratriene-l7-one in 225 cc. benzene and the resulting mixture was refluxed for two hours. After cooling the mixture, one liter of a saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution was added thereto. The phases were decanted and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phases were washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel with elution with chloroform containing 20% acetone to contain 3.3 gm. of 3- oximino-l2,l7a-dimethyl-A -estratriene-175-01 in the form of yellow crystals having a melting point of about 230 C. The product was soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water.

Analysis: C H O N; molecular weight=313.44. Calculated (percent): N, 4.67. Found (percent): N,'4.0.

U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 338-339 m t i551. infi. towards 312 mp As far as is known, this product hasnot been described in the literature.

Step D: 12,17a-dimethyl-A -estratriene-1718-ol-3-one 3.1 gm. of 3-oximino-12,17u-dimethyl-M- -estratriene-17/3-ol were introduced with stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere into a mixture of 120 cc. of acetic acid, 120 cc. of water and 12 cc. of pyruvic acid and the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour. After cooling, the reaction mixture was added to a mixture of 1.5 liters of water, 200 gm. of sodium bicarbonate and 200 cc. of ether. The organic phase was decanted olf and was washed with water until the wash waters were neutral. The aqueous phase was reextracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic phases were evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in methylene chloride containing 20% ether and the solution was passed over a silica gel column and elution with methylenechloride containing 15% ether gave 1.9 gm. of 12,17a-dimethyl- A -estratriene-l7f3-ol-3-one having a'melting point of 156 C. and a specific rotation [a] -140i2 (c.=1% in chloroform). The product was soluble in alcohol and chloroform and insoluble in water.

12 Analysis: C H 0 molecular weight 298.42. Calculated (percent): C, 80.49; H, 8.75. Found (percent): C, 80.3; H, 8.8.

LR. Spectrum (chloroform):

presence of OH at 3610 presence of O=O+conjugated C=C at 1 661, 1 651, 1649,

1635, 1600 and 1568 U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 245 my.

Ei?m.=224

max. at 270 my As far as is known, this product is not described in the literature.

EXAMPLE III Preparation of 12-methy1-17a-ethynyl-A -estratrienel7fl-ol-3-one Step A: 3oximino-l2-methyl-17a-ethynyl-A estratriene-l7/3-ol A current of acetylene was passed through a solution of 30 gm. of potassium tert.-butylate and 600 cc. of tetrahydrofuran cooled to 5 C., 10 C. for 1 hour and 15 minutes. After the addition of 5.4 gm. of 3-oximino-l2- methyl-A -estratriene-17-one in solution in 120 cc. of tetrahydrofuran thereto, the passage of acetylene through the mixture was continued for 1 /2 hours. 600 cc. of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution were added to the reaction mixture. The organic phase was decanted off and the aqueous phase was re-extracted. The combined organic phases were washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness to obtain 5.7 gm. of raw product. The raw product was purified by chromatography on silica gel and elution with a 8:2 mixture of chloroformacetone to obtain 2.2 gm. of 3-oximino-12-methy1-17a-ethynyl- A -estratriene-l75-01 which was used as is for the next step.

LR. Spectrum (chloroform):

presence of OH at 3520 presence of 05:0 at 3290 U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 238 m El?m.=

max. at 327 my.

Elfi 1065; 6:34.450

infl. towards 334 mp.

As far as is known, this product is not described in the literature.

Step B: 1Z-methyl-17a-ethnnyl-A -estratriene-17 8-01- 3-one 2.2 gm. of 3-oximino-l2-methyl-l7a-ethynyl-A estratriene-l'lp-ol were introduced into a mixture of cc. of water, 90 cc. of acetic acid and 9 cc. of pyruvic acid and the mixture was refluxed for 1 hour. After cooling the reaction mixture to room temperature, it was neutralized with sodium bicarbonate and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and then with water. The aqueous phase was re-extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic phases were dried and evaporated to dryness to obtain 1.74 gm. of raw prod- LR. Spectrum:

presence of OH at 3590 presence of CECH at 3293 presence of complex O=O at 1,659, 1,651 and 1,643 presence of O==C at 1602 and 1568 U.V. Spectrum (ethanol): Max. at 355 mu; e=30,400.

As far as is known, this product has not been described in the literature.

EXAMPLE IV Preparation of 1ZB-methyl-17a-ethynyl-A- estradiene- 1 7B-ol-3-one 4.5 g. of alumina with of palladium treated with lead acetate by the Lindlar method were suspended in 1.125 liters of pyridine and the suspension was saturated with hydrogen, 11.25 g. of lZ-methyl-A -estratriene- 17fl-ol-3-one was added to the suspension under a nitrogen atmosphere and the mixture was hydrogenated for 24 hours at 27 C. Another 4.5 g. of said alumina catalyst were added to the mixture which was hydrogenated for another 24 hours. The mixture was filtered and the filter was washed with methylene chloride. The filtrate was distilled to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue was chromatographed over silica and eluated with a 4:1 mixture of ether-petroleum ether. The eluate was evaporated to dryness to obtain 8.445 of IZfl-methyl- A -estradiene-17fi-ol-3-one melting at 130133 C. The product occurred as a colorless solid soluble in chloroform and ethanol and insoluble in water.

I. R. Spectrum (choloroform): Presence of non-conjugated ketone at 1714 and 1721 U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

inflex. towards 239 nm.

max. at 242 nm.

inflex. towards 250 nm.

Step B: 3,3-ethylene dioxy-IZB-methyl-A-estradiene- 17/3-ol-3-one A mixture of 8.445 g. of IZfi-methyl-A -estradiene-17p-ol-3-one, 340 cc. of choloroform, 42 cc. of ethylene glycol and 8.445 g. of pyridine hydrochloride was refluxed for 16 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere and the reaction mixture was then added to a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and the organic phase was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to obtain 7.95 g. of 3,3-ethylenedioxy-12B-rnethyl A estradiene-17B-ol-3-one melting at 88 C. The colorless solid was soluble in chloroform and ethanol and insoluble in water.

-I.R. Spectrum (cholorform): Presence of C=C at 1634 and 1620 and OH at 3609 and ketal 14 U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 238 nm.

max. at 244 nm.

Ei'fm; 581; e= 19,200

infiex. towards 253 nm.

inflex. towards 278 nm.

Eiim. 5

inflex. towards 286 um.

I lam 4:

R.M.N. Spectrum (Deutero chloroform): 18-methyl at 38-Hz., -K-methyl at 59-66 Hz., ll-hydrogen at 312 Hz. and ketal at 238 Hz.

Step. 0: 3,3-ethylenedioxy-12fl-methy1-A estradiene-17-one A mixture of 7.75 g. of 3,3-ethylenedioxy-IZfi-methyl- A -estradiene-173-01, 272 cc. of toluene and 77.5 of cyclohexanone was distilled under a nitrogen atmosphere to remove about 40 cc. of toluene and then a solution of 7.22 g. of aluminum isopropylate in 233 cc. of toluene was added while keeping the volume constant. Reflux was maintained for 50 minutes and the reaction mixture was then added to a solution of 31 g. of sodium and potassium tartrate in 250 cc. of water. The solvents were entrained with water vapor and the mixture was cooled and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic phase was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed over silica and elution was with a 1:1 mixture of ether and petroleum ether. The eluate was evaporated to dryness to obtain 5.72 g. of 3,3-ethylenedioxy-12 8-methyl-A estradiene-17-one melting at Ill-112 C. The colorless crystalline solid was soluble in chloroform and ethanol and insoluble in water.

I. R. Spectrum (chloroform): Presence of C=C at 164l and 1608 17-oxo at 1726 and ketal U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 243 um.

.Ei?m.=653; e=21,450

Step 3,3-ethy1enedioxy-12,8 methyl-17a-ethynyl- A 't -es'tradiene-17,3-01

A'current of acetylene was passed through a solution of 364 mg. ofpotassium t'ert-b'utylate in 7.3 cc. of tetrahydrofuran cooled to 5 C. for 40 minutes while maintaining the said temperature and then 340 mg. of 3,3- ethylenedioxy' 12 3 methyl-A l- -estradiene-l7-one were added thereto. The mixture was stirred for 45 minutes at room temperature and the reaction mixture was added to a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The mixture "was extracted with ether and the organic phase was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica and eluted with a 95.5 mixture of chloroform and acetone. The eluate was evaporated to dryness to obtain 320 mg. of 3,3- ethylenedioxy 12B methyl 17a ethynyl-A estradiene-17p-ol which was used as is for the next step.

LR. Spectrum (chloroform): Presence of OH at 3597P of C=CH at 3301 of C C at 1639' and U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 237 nm.

max. at 243 nm.

E ?m.= 565; e= 20,000

infiex. towards 251-252 nm.

A mixture of 5.1 g of 3,3-ethylenedioxy-IZp-methyl- 17a-ethynyl-A -estradiene-17 3-01, 102 cc. of 95% ethanol and 10.2 g. of cationic sulfonic exchange resin on a polystyrene base (Redex CF) was refluxed for 2 hours with stirring and the mixture was filtered and the filter was washed with methylene chloride. The filtrate was evaporate to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue was chromatographed over silica and eluated with a 95:5 mixture of chloroform and acetone. The eluate was evaporated to dryness and 1.85 g. of the residue were dissolved in 9.25 cc. of boiling methanol. The volume of the solution was reduced in half and the solution was iced and vacuum filtered. The precipitate was dried to obtain 1.371 g. of IZB-methyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estradiene-l7/3-ol-3-one melting at 201 C. and having a specific notation [u] =--282 14 (C=0.5% in chloroform). The cream colored crystals were soluble in chloroform and ethanol and insoluble in water.

Analysis: C H O molecular weight=3l0.42. Calculated (percent): C, 81.24; H, 8.44. Found (percent): C, 81.5; H, 8.1.

I.R. Spectrum (chloroform): Presence of OH at 3600 of CECH at 3300 of complex C==O at 1659 and 165-2-- and C=C at 1608 and 1593 U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 215 nm. infiex. towards 235 nm.

max. at 304 nm.

EXAMPLE V Preparation of 12-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estratrienel7a-ol-3-one Step A: l2a-ethyl-A -estradiene-17 3-ol-3-one 1.44 liters of an ethyl magnesium bromide solution (1.1 mole-g. per liter) were diluted with 150 cc. of tetrahydrofuran and after cooling the solution to 23 C., 6.15 g. of cuprous chloride were added thereto. The temperature was held at 20 C. for 15 minutes and-then a solution of 33 g. of 17/3-acetoxy-A -estratriene-3-one (prepared by process of French Pat. No. 1380414) in 250 cc. of tetrahydrofuran was added thereto. The temperature was allowed to return to C. which was maintained for 1% hours. The mixture was then cooled to about 40 C. and 950 cc. of 2 N hydrochloric acid were added thereto. The temperature was raised to room temperature and the mixture was extracted with ether. The ether phase was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica and elution with a 2:8 mixture of ethylacetate and benzene. Evaporation of the eluate gave 13.15 g. of 2ot-ethyl-A -estradiene- 17fi-0l-3-one melting at 139 C. The colorless solid was soluble in chlorinated solvents and ethanol and insoluble in water. a

16 LR. Spectrum (chloroform): Presence of non-conjugated ketone at 1715 and of 0H.

U.V. Spectrum (ethanol) max. at 242 nm.

R.M.N. Spectrum (Deuterochloroform): 18-methyl at 54.5 Hz., triplet of CH of ethyl group towards 74 Hz., triplet of 17-H at 216, 268 and 284 Hz. and 11-H ethylenic proton towards 390 Hz.

Step: B: 1IB-hydroperoxy-12a-ethyl-A -estradiene-17,6-

ol-3-one A current of oxygen saturated with ethanol was passed through a solution of 13.15 g. of 12a-ethyl-A estradiene-17/3-ol-3-one in 65 cc. of ethanol with 1% of triethylamine overnight at room temperature and after cooling to --5 C., the mixture was vacuum filtered. The recovered precipitate was washed with iced ethanol, then with ether and was dried at room temperature to obtain 10.35 g. of llB-hydroperoxy-12a-ethyl-A -estradiene- 17l3-ol-one melting at 240 C. The colorless solid was insoluble in most of the usual solvents.

Step C: 12a-ethy1-A -estradiene-11 8,17B-diol-3-one 7.5 cc. of trimethyl phosphite were added to a suspension of 10.35 g. of 11;3-hydroperoxy-12a-ethy1-A -estradiene17B-ol-3-one in 200 cc. of methanol at a temperature below 30 C. and the mixture was then stirred for 20 minutes at 30 C. and was poured over ice. 8.5 cc. of hydrogen peroxide of volume were added to the mixture which was then diluted with water and vauum filtered. The precipitate was washed with water and was dried under reduced pressure to obtain 8.89 g. of 12aethyl-A -estradiene-l15,17,3-diol-3-one melting at 230 C. The colorless solid was soluble in alcohols, slightly soluble in chloroform and insoluble in Water.

Analysis: C H O molecular weight=316.42. Calculated (percent): C, 75.91; H, 8.92. Found (percent): C, 75.9; H, 8.9.

I.R. Spectrum (Nujol): Presence of conjugated ketoue at l'650 of C=C at l598 and of OH.

U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 299-300 nm.

R.M.N. Spectrum (dimethylsulfoxide): 18 methyl at 65 Hz. and 4-H at 339 Hz. and 11-H at 284.5 Hz.

Step D: 12ethyl-A -estratriene-17B-ol-3-one 54 cc. of acetonitrile and 11 cc. of perchloric acid were added to a solution of 17.98 g. of 12a-ethyl-A -estradiene-11;8,17fl-diol-3-one in 2.8 liters of methylene chloride and the mixture was stirred for 4 minutes at room temperature and added to water. The mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and the organic phase was washed with water until the wash waters were neutral, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica and eluted with a 7-3 mixture of benzene and ethyl acetate. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was empasted with 70 cc. of isopropyl ether and was vacuum filtered. The precipitate was Washed with isopropyl ether and was dried at room temperature to obtain 12.63 g. of 12-ethyl-A -estratriene-17fl-ol-3-one melting at C. The yellow solid was soluble in most of the usual organic solvents, slightly soluble in isopropyl ether and insoluble in water.

U.V. Spectrum:

max. at 356 nm.

l?m.=1001; e=29,900

I.R. Spectrum (chloroform): Presence of OH and trieneone.

R.M.N. Spectrum (deuterochloroform): 18-methyl at 59.5 Hz., 4-H at 343 Hz. and 1l-H at 370.5 Hz.

-Step E: 3-methyloximino 1l-ethyl-M- estratriene- 171 701 16 cc. of O-methyl hydroxylamine were added to a soluin mut nt methanol and" the-"rear: n1 mixture was chloride. The org nic' phase was ashed with water until the; wash, waters were neutr'al, .drred DY?!- sodium sulfate anddistilled to dryness under reduced pressure "to obtain 11.32 g. of 3 rfithyloximiho:l2 ethyl-A 9 ll-estratriene 1718-01 which was utilized. as is for thenext step. The product occurred as a yellow solid soluble-in chloroform,

toluene and ethanol and insoluble in water.

Step F: 3-methyloximino-12-ethy1-A -estratriene- ..17.,one v A solution of 2.9 g. of aluminum isopropylate in 58 cc. of toluene was added'toa mixture of 2.148 g. of 3-methyloximino-12 ethyl-A -estratriene-17fl-ol, 107 cc. of tolueneand 431cc. of. cyclohexanone from which a few cc. .had been distilled and distillation was continued for-'1 hour while maintaining a constant volume by the addition of 100 cc. of toluene. After cooling, the mixture was filtered and the filtrate was washed with methylene chloride. The filtrate wasconcentrated under reduced pressure and the liquid residue was subjected to entrainment with water vapor. The residue was extracted with methylene chloride and the organic phase was washed with water, dried and distilled to'dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was. chromatographedover silicafgel with elution with a 7:3 mixture of benzene and ethyl acetate. Evaporation to dryness of the eluate resulted in 1.49 g. of 3-methyloximino-12-ethyl A estratrieneel7rone which'was. used as is forthe next step, p Step G: 3-methyloximino-12-ethyl 17a=ethynyl- A solution of 2.58 g. of potassium tert-butylate in 37 ccxof'tetrahydrofuran and 18.5 cctflof hexafnethyl-phospho'rtriamide was cooled under a-hitro'gen atmosphere" to 5 to 510" C."and then" a"current"of' acetylene was passed there through forl hour. A solution'of 1.49g,"'of 3-methyloximino-I2-ethyl-A -estratriene-17-one in 30 cc. of 'tetrahydrofuran-was added to the reaction mixture which was then agitated-while bubbling acetylene and: nitrogen therethrough at to C for 1% hours. Thereactiori' mixture waspourd' into-an aqueous saturated ammoniuin chloride solution. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic'phase'was' washed with water; dried and-distilled to' drynessu'nderfrediicedpressure. The residue was chromatographedov I by a 8-2 mixture of benzene-ethyl"acetate"and"'evaporation of the solvent resulted in 1137 g. of 3-methyloximino- 12-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A estratriene-17p-ol which was used as is for the next step. i

LR. Spectrum: Presence of OH at.3607 '"P-fPand of 050 CH anagramacetic acid and the solution was heatediunderandrogen atmosphere at 80-85 C. for 1% hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured over'ice "and the mixture was d dltd he reaction mixture' which wasthen extracted with methylene en. pyruvic "acid were.

acetate. The eluate was evaporated. to dryness and the residue was passed through a column of magnesium silicate andlelu'ted with methylene chloride containing 2% ethyl acetate and the eluate was evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in a few cc. of methylene chloride and the solution was filtered, concentrated under nitrogen and added to isopropyl ether. Distillation was effected until crystallization started and the mixture was cooled and vacuum filtered. The recovered precipitate was washed with isopropyl ether and dried to obtain 136 mg. of 12- ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene-175-01 3 one melting at 172 C. and having a specific rotation EXAMPLE VI Preparation of l2-methy1l3 3-ethyl-17u-ethynyl- A -gonatriene-17/i1-ol-3-one Step A: 1Za-methyl-lmethyl-A -gonadiene- 17/3-ol-3-one andthe extracts were washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel and eluted with a 6:4 mixture of benzene and ethyl acetate to recover 34.6 g. of 12a-methyl-13fi-ethyl- A 9 -gonadiene-175-ol-3-one. U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 241-242 nm.

lfim= inflex. towards 250 nm.

LR... Spectrum (chloroform): Presence of. .OH at 3550 and non-conjugated ketone at 1695 Step B: 1ldhydroperoxy-12a-methyl-13fi ethylv A -gonadiene-17fi-ol-3-one Using the procedure of Step H of Example V, hydroperoxy-l2a-methyl 13B ethyl-A -gonadiene-1718- ol-3-one was; formed which was characterized by thin.

layer chromatography with RF=0.23 (support silica gel;

eluate: 1-1 benzene-ethyl acetate mixture) and was used asis for next step.

Step C: l2a-methyl-13Q-ethyLM- -gonadiene 115,17fi-diol-3-one .Using the procedure of Step C of Example -V, there was obtained a total yield (Steps B and C) of 62.5% of IZu-methyl-13fl-ethyl-A -gonadiene-113,17B-diol I 3 one melting at 210 C. The colorless. product was sol'uble' in methanol, slightly soluble in chloroform, methylene chloride and isopropyl ether and insoluble in water.

Analysis: C H O molecular weight=3l6.4. Calculated (P rcent): C, 75.91; H, 8.92.. Found (percent): C, 75.9; H, 8.9.

LR. Spectrum (chloroform): OH towards 3410 7 and conjugated ketone towards 1640 R.M.N. Spectrum (CDCl 4-H at 346.5 Hz., 11-H' at 282 Hz., 12CH at 51.5-58.5 Hz. and CH f 13-' ethyl at 71-78-86 Hz. The constant for the connection of the ll-H and 12-H is very weak but it was confirmed that the ll-H was a and the 12-H was 5.

LR. Spectrum (CHCl OH toward 3585 and conjugated ketone toward 1640 R.M.N. Spectrum (CDCl 4-H at 344.5 Hz.,ll-H

at 380 Hz., 12-CH at 122-1235 Hz. and CH of 13-ethyl at 49.5-56.5-63.5 Hz.

Step E: 3,3-ethylenedioxy-l2-methylene-13p-ethyl- M -gonadiene-Up-ol A mixture of 6.8 g. of l2-methyl-lSB-ethyI-A -gOnatriene-17fl-ol-3-one, 410 cc. of chloroform, 0.93 g. of phosphoric acid and 51 cc. of ethylene glycol in a balloon flask was refluxed for 48 hours and the glycol was re-- moved by decantation. The resulting organic phase was washed with a saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and was then evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over a silica column and eluted with an 8-2 benzene-ethyl acetate mixture containing 0.1% triethylamine to obtain 4 g. of 3,3- ethylenedioxy 12 methylene-13 8-ethyl-A -gonadiene-17fl-ol in the form of a solid soluble in benzene,

ethyl acetate, ethanol and chloroform. Counting the starting material recovered by chromatography, the yield was 69%.

Analysis: C H O molecular weight=342.4. Calculated (percent): C, 77.15; H, 8.83. Found (percent): C, 76.8; H, 8.9.

U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

'LR. Spectrum (chloroform): OH at 3560 ketal, methylene at 891 C =C at 1656, 1585 and 1611 R.M.N. Spectrum (DCDl 4-H at 137 Hz., ll-H at 391 Hz., 12-methylene at 298-306 Hz. and CH of 13- ethyl at 46.5-5359.5- Hz.

Step F: 3,3-ethylenedioxy-l2-methylene-13fl-ethyl- A -gonadiene-17-one Using the process described in Step F of Example V, the raw product was purified by vapor entrainment, then chromatography over silica gel and elution with a 1-1 mixture of benzene-ethyl acetate containing 0.1% triethylamine to obtain a 70% yield of 3,3-ethylenedioxy- 12-methylene-13fl-ethyl-A -gonadiene 17 onein the form of a pale yellow solid melting at 135 C. The product was slightly soluble in isopropyl ether and insoluble in water. i

| Analysis: 0 21 130 molecular weight=340.4. Calculated (percent): C, 77.61;.H, 8.29. Found (percent): C, 77.3; H, s.4. p p 1 ,U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 266-267 nm.

. ElZL..=800

max. at 276-277 nm.

I {rm-1030 max. at287-288nm.

ten-749 LR. Spectrum (chloroform): Ketone at 1733'= O=C 'at 1615 and 1633 and methylene at 898 and 1806"" R.M.N. Spectrum (CD1 ll-H at 359 Hz., IZ-methylene at 304-344 Hz. and- CH of 13-ethyl at 40-475- 54 Hz.

Step 6.: 3,3-ethylenedioxy-lZ-methylene-13;3-ethy1-17aethynyl-M -gonadiene-17 8-ol A solution of 0.34 g. of 3,3-ethylenedioxy-12-methylene- 13/3-ethyl-A -gonadiene-l7-one in 3.5 cc. of tetrahydrofuran was added at 50 C. to a solution of 0.41 g. of potassium in liquid ammonia through which acetylene had been bubbled until decolorization occurred and then acetylene was bubbled through the reaction mixture for 21 hours at 50 C. Then, 0.6 g. of ammonium chloride dissolved in cc. of water was added thereto and the mixture wasevaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue was subjected to chromatography over silica gel with elntion with chloroform containing 0.5% ethanol to obtain 0.13 g. of 3,3-ethylenedioxy-12-methyle'ne-13,8-ethyl-l7a-ethynyl-A -gonadiene 17/3 olmelting at C. Also recovered was 0.17 of unreacted starting material. The ethynyl product occurred as colorless crystals soluble in methylenechloride, chloroform and ethanol, slightly soluble in isopropyl ether and insoluble in water.

U.V. Spectrum (ethanol):

max. at 277 nm;

E}? ;=947; e=3$,700 I.R. Spectrum (CHCl 0H at 3559 C=CH at 3300m and methylene at 892-'.

-R.M.N. Spectrum (CDCl 12-methylene'at 310 Hz. and acetylenic hydrogen at 151 Hz.

Step H: 12-methyl-l3p-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A Y gonatriene-17B-ol-3-one 'A solution of 3.8 g. of raw 3,3-ethylenedioxy-l2-methylene-'1313-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A gonadiene 17B- 01 (preceding step without chromatography) in 90 cc. of acetic acid containing 25% water was stirred under an inert atmosphere for 21 hours and the reaction mixture was then poured into a liter of water. The mixture was extracted with methylene chloride and the extracts were concentrated to dryness by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed over silica PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY.

(A) Antigonadotrophic activity The antigonadotrophic activity was determined on puberjc rats weighing about 200 g. and the test com- 21 benzylic alcohol, was administered subcutaneously in a volume of 0.2 cc. with 14 treatments in 14 days. On the th day, the rats were killed by 'carotidine bleeding and the seminal vesicules, prostate, testicles and suprenals were removed and weighed. The results are shown in (C) Estrogenic activity The estrogenic activity on the vagina was determined with the Allen-Doisy test with a lot of castrated rats which received once a subcutaneous dose of the product in a Tables A, B and C. 5 sesame oil:solution containing 5% benzylic alcohol or an TABLE A Daily Seminal Suprenels. Lot dose Testieles, mg. vesicle, mg. Prostate, mg. mg:

001mm 0 2, 590 553. 8 334. e 37. r IZB-methyI-IH-ethynyl-N- estrediene-Ufl-oH-one .1007 2,420 239.7 (-57%) 231.4 (-87%) 41.3 5007 1,790 (-31% 47.6 (-91%) 52.5 (-84% 73.7 2mg. 1,650 45.8 (-92% 45.8 (-86%) 51.7

TABLE Bf Daily Seminal Suprenals, Lot dose Testicles, mg. vesicle, mg. Prostate, mg. mg.

Control 0 2,590 553.8 384.8 37.1 12-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -'-"-estratriene-17fl-ol-3one 507 2. 610 217.5 (-66%) 236.4 (-29%) 43.9 e 200 1,920 (-26%) 47.5 (-01% 53.2 (-81% 60.6 1mg. 1,780 (-31 0) 44.7 (-02% 40.4 -88% 55.3

TABLE 0 Daily Seminal Suprenals, Lot dose 7 Testicles, mg. vesicle, mg. Prostate. mg. mg.

Control 0 2, 800 450. 1 280. o 38. s math 1-1speth l-na-etn n l-m onatnene-lw-m-a-one "-107 2,700 287.0 (-36%) 217.4 -22% 45.8 p 50 2,000 (-28% 51.8 -89% 45.4 (-84%) 62.8

The results of Tables A, B and C show that the test oral dose of the product in an olive oil solution. Vaginal compounds have a considerable antigonadotrophlc acsmears were taken daily starting the second day after the tivity without causing any suprenal aplasia. treatment. The rat unity was the dose of product which (B) Uterotrophic activity provoked estrus 1n the rat during one day. The results are I reported 1n Table E. The uterotrophlc activity used was the test of Rubin TABLE E [Endocnnology, vol. 49 (1951), p. 429] with female mice 19 to 21 days old. The mice received a single subcutane- Subcu- Product 0 11 t i one treatment per day for 3 days and were killed on the m y anew 4th day. The uterus was removed, dissected and weighed. ggg ggg f gfig fl 107 The products were administered subcutaneously in solu- IZfl-methyl-l7 -etl y y1..A|,L ndj 17 1.3

p I om n Sesame Q11 Fontammg 5% benzyhc alcohol The 12. 1.17 1. 4.e.it. g m 7p .g. 507 results are reported in Table D. one.

TABLE D I Lot Egg fl g g ggf (D) Exogenic antiandrogenic activity Control 0 8.4 t 12B-methyl-17a-ethyny1'A -estradiene-17fl-0l-3- 3.37 20.7 The i antlzindrogemc acllvlty nflethyl 1 0116(A). 1 10 31.1 acetoxy-A -estratr1ene-3-one was studied 111- relation 1 with testosterone propionate on castrated male rats using Control 0 11.7 the procedure of Lerner described by .Dorfman,-inMeth I! I 12-ethy1-17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene-17B-ol-3 10 23.4 odsm Hormone Research g 0118(8). 30 44.5 Male rats about 4 weeks old were castrated and received the test compounds beginning on the day of cas- Control 0 7.2 tration-for 7 days and on the8tl1 day the animals were mmethyusfl flat-hymn Am, {011mb 0377 killed and the prostate, seminal ves cles and Levator um 0!18-17fi-01-3-0n8(C). 1.17 16.7 were examined. The product of the invention was adm1n-.

3.3 istered subcutaneously in solution in olive oil containin 10 68.3 g 5% benzyl alcohol at a dose of 1mg. per day per rat. The results f Table D Show that the three products Testosterone-propionate was administered-subcutaneously exercise an important uterotrophic activity. Compound C at dose of P y P Another group receivedj is active at a total dose of 3.3 Compound B active at 65 a subcutaneous admimstratron of 1 mg. of the product of a total dose of 3.0 and Compound A is active at a total theinvention and 50 of testosterone propionate pert day dose of 1.07. pe'r rat. The results are set forth in Tables F, G and H.

' TABLE F Q Fresh T Semin i 1 r Levator vesicles, Prostate, Treatment Daily doses um, mg. in mg.

Cnntml n 0 1 21.0 4.1 10.7 Testosterone ptonlnnate 50 I 34. 3 48.4 86. 5 12-methy1-17fl-acetoxy-A -U-estratriene-3-One; 1 mg 20. 5 12. 6 18. 8 12-methy1-17B-acetoxy-A -estratriene-li oneplus testos- 1 mg. plus 50 30.0 40.9 61. 8

terone propionate.

Table F shows that IZ-methyl-17,6-acetoxy-A -estratriene-3-one has a clear antiandrogenic activity at a dose of 1 mg. in relation with 507 of testosterone'propionate and does not show a significant androgenic activity when administered alone at the same dose.

wherein R is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms,"X is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and'R is selected' from the group consisting of r OH on A second test was conducted under slmilar'test cond1 and tions and the results of Table G confirm the antiandrogenic activity of 12-methyl-17/3-acetoxy-A -estratriene- S-one.

TABLE "Fresh Seminal Levator vesic1es,- Prostate, Treatment Daily doses (mi, mg. mg mg.

Contr 0 17. 1 9. 4 14. 6 Testosterone propionate 50y.-. 30.2" 54.5 81.0 12-methy1-17fi-aeetoxy-A--"-estratrlene-3-one plus testos- 1 mg. plus 507. 30. 8 55. 43. 4

terone propionate. H

Therefore, the tables F and G clearly show that 12- methyl-17 8-acetoxy-o -estratriene 3 one exhibits a clear inhibitory activity on the androgenic activity of 0 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hytestosterone propionate without noticeably effecting its" drocarbyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and acyl of an organic carboxylic acidof 1 to 18 carbonatoms andR is selected from the group consisting of saturated hydrocarbon of myotrophic activity.

TABLE H Fresh Seminal Levator vesicle Prostate, Treatment Daily doses am, mg. mg. mg.

Controls 0 17. 5 5. 2 8. 5 Testosterone prop 507 56. 5 54. 8 108. 2 12-methyl-l7a-ethynyl-A --estradiene-17fl-ol-3-one 1 mg 13.8 17. 22.2 12-methy1-17a-ethynyl-A "'estradiene-flfl-ol-tl-one plus testosterone propionate 1 mg. plus 50 40. 9 66. 7 78. 3

Controls. 0 18. 9 9. 1 11. 9

Testosterone propionate -50 32. 1 69. 4 105. 3 12-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estratrlene-17fl-ol-8- 1 mg 13. 8 25. 4 21. 3 12-ethyl-17methyny1-A -estratrlene-17fl-ol-3-one plus testosterone propionate 1 mg. plus 50 27. 5 103. 0 107. 9

Cnntrnlq 0 27. 1 11. 0 '16. a

Testosterone pr p 50 I 42. 8 102. 3 99. 0 12-methyl-13fl-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -gonatriene-l7fl-ol-3-one- 1 mg- 16. 0 23. 6 20. 5 1Z-methy1-13B-ethy1-17a-ethynyl-A -"gonatriene-17fl-ol-3-one plus testosterone propionate 1mg. plus 50 22. 8 v 92. 7 92. 7

I v I Ia and 12-alkyI-A -gonatrienes of the formula 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkenyl, alkynyl and haloalkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms. e

2. Compounds of claim 1 which are the l2fi-alkyl-A gonadiene ofthe formula wherein R, R and X have the definition of claim 1. 4

3. Compound of claim 1 which are 12-alkyl-A gonatrienes of the formula wherein R, R and X have the definitions of claim 1.

" ""4: A compound of claim 2 which is 12fl-methy1-17aethynyI-M- -estradiene-l7fl-ol-3-one.

'5. A compoundof claim 3 which is 12-methyl-131S-eth- 6.A compound of claim 3 which is 12-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene-17B-ol-3-one.

7. A compound of claim 3 which is 12-methyl-17B-ace toxy-A "-estratriene-S-one. t

8. A compound of claim 3which is 12.-methyl-17aethynyl-A -estratrienc-17fl-o1-3-one.

9. A compound of claim 3 which is 12, 17a-dimethyl- A -estratriene-l7/3-ol-3-one.

10. A process for the preparation of a compound of claim 3 wherein R is comprising reacting a 13 3 R-A -gonatriene-17 3-01-3- one or its 17B-ester with an organometallic compound selected from the group consisting of an XLi andXMg-Hal wherein the organo portion is X as defined aboveand Hal is a halogen to obtain the corresponding 12a-X-13B-R- A -gonadiene-17B-ol-3-one, reacting the latter with oxygen to form the corresponding 11B-hydroperoxy-12a- X-13f1-R A -gonadiene-l7 3-ol-3-0ne, reacting the latter with a reducing agent to obtain the corresponding 12a-X-13;3-R-A -gonadiene-116,173 diol-3one, reacting the latter with a dehydrating agent to form the corresponding 12-X-13B R A -gonatriene-17B-ol-3-one, reacting the latter with a compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxylamine and O-lower alkyl-hydroxylamine to protect the 3-keto group and to form the corresponding 3 oximino-12-X-13 8-R-A -gonatriene- 17B-ol-3-one, reacting the latter with an oxidation agent to form the corresponding 3-oximino-12-X-l3B-R-A gonatriene-17-one, reacting the latter with an organometallic reagent selected from the group consisting of R Liand R Mg Hal where the organo is R and Hal is halogen to form the corresponding 3-oximino-12-X-13 3-R-17a-R M- -gonatriene-l7fl-ol and subjecting the latter to acid hydrolysis or an exchange reaction with a carbonyl derivative selected from the group consisting of glyoxylic acid, glyoxal, formol and pyruvic acid to obtain the corresponding 12-X-1313-R-17a-R -A -gonatriene-17B-ol-3- one. i

11. A process for the preparation of a compound of claim 3 wherein R is i comprising reacting -a 12-X-13 3-R-A gonatriene-17B- ol-3-one with a ketalization agent selected from the group consisting of lower alkanol, lower alkylene glycol and dioxolane in the presence of an acid catalyst to form the corresponding 3-K -12-X -l3fi-R-A gonadiene- 17/3-olwherein K is a ketal group, X is an alkylidene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, reacting the latter with an oxidation agent to form the corresponding 3-K -l2-X -13fi-R- 17u-R -A -gonadiene-1718-ol and subjecting the latter to acid hydrolysis to form the corresponding-IZ-X- 13fi-R-17a-R -A -9- -gonatriene-17B-ol-3-one of claim 3.

12. A process for the preparation of a 12/3-alkyl steroid of claim 2 wherein R is r comprising hydrogenating a 12-X-1-3;3-R-A :9' -gonatriene- 17fi-ol-3-one in the presence of a catalyst to form the corresponding 12,8-X-13 9-R-gonadiene-l7fl-ol-3-one where the double bonds may be A and/or M reacting the latter a ketalization agent selected from the group consisting of lower al'kanol, lower alkylene glycol and dioxolane in the presence of an acid catalyst" to form the corresponding 3-K-12fl-X-13,3-R-gonadiene-17B-ol wherein K is the protected ketone, reacting the latter with an oxidation agent to form the corresponding 3-K-12/8-X- 13B-R-gonadiene-17-one, reacting thelatter with an or- 26 ganometallic agent selected from the group consisting of R Li and R Mg Hal where the organo is R and Hal is halogen to form the corresponding 3-K-l2B-X-13B-R- 17ot-R -gonadiene-17B-ol and reacting the latter with an acid or a carbonyl exchange derivative selected from the group consisting of pyruvic acid, glyoxal, formal and glyoxylic acid to form the corresponding 12B-X-13fl-R- 17a-R -A -gonadiene-17fi-ol-3-one of claim 3.

13. A compound of the formula wherein X and R are alkyl of 1 to 13 carbon atoms and Y; is =0 when Y is and Y is =N OZ when Y, is selected from the group consisting of V on on;

=0, I and H ."R:

Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl and R is a hydrocarbon of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. M

19 2 'A compound of "claim 18 which is l2-ethyl-A estratriene 1713-dl-3-one. p

20. A compound of claim 18which is 12-methyl-13fiethyl-A -gonat'riene 1j7fl-ol 3-one. 21. A'conipound ofclaiin 18 which is 3-methyloximino-12-ethyl-Af estratriene 1743 01.

212. A compound of claim 18 which 'is'3-methyloximinolZ-ethyl-AW- -estratriene-l7 one. v

23. A compound of claim" 18 which is 3-methylox imino-IZ-ethyl-17a-ethynyl-A -estratriene-l 01.

24. A compound of claim 18 which is 12-methy1-A estratriene-17fl-ol-3-one. w A

25. A compound of claim 18 which is 3-oximino-12- methyl-A -estratriene-1719-01. i

26; A compound of claim 18 which'is 3-oximino-12- methyl-A -estratricne-17-one.

27. A compound or claim 18 which is 3-oximino- 12;17a-dimethyl-A -estratriene--01. i

A compound of claim 18 which is 3-oximino-l2- 75 methyl-17a-ethyny1-A -estratriene-175-01.

'29. A compound of the wherein R is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, X is alkylidene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, K is a ketal and Y is selected from the group consisting of 28 31. A compound of claim 30 which is 3,3-ethylenedioxy-lZ-methylene-l3fi-ethy1 A gonadiene-17- one.

32. A compound of claim 29 which is 3,3-ethy1ene-' dioxy-12-methylene-1313-ethyl 17a ethyny1-A gonadiene-IZB-ol.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,519,654 7/1970 Bertin et a1. 260397.45 3,502,699 3/1970 Hughes et a1. 260397.45 3,576,828 4/1971 Anner et a1 260-3973 3,697,511 10/1972 Bucourt 260-397.45

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,048,231! 11/1966 Great Britain 260-397.45

ELBERT L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 5,810,885 Dated y 1L1, 1974 Inventor(s) RObGIt Bucour't et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the Cover Sheet, after line 11, the following should be added:

-- application France, Dec. 12, 1967, 151,869

Signed and sealed this 6th day of May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks ORM PO-105O (IO-69) USCQMM-DC 9 75 ;59 u.s GOVERNMENT rmm'mc ornce; 930

222:3? UN-H131) STATES PATENT OFFICE I V CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Page 1 o ?1t enc No. 3,810,885 m May 1A, 1978 manor) ROBERT: BUCOURT, ANDRE PIERDET, JEAN-CLAUDE GASC and LUCIEN NEDELEC It is certified that: error appears in the above-identified patent end that; said Letters Patent are hereby em'rected as shown below:

r IN THE PATENT APPLICATION I f COL Line Page Line V 1 8 I Leftdut seeb'fid pri 'NO and Date.

17-171 1 filed May 12,1971;- 5 47 l0 "2 4 After "oxideuzio'nfi insert l -a ent 00 form the cor" es 0nding 3-K-l2-X-l3B-R-A i 8 51116.59? lim wag? UNITED STATES PATENT OFF ICE r 8 o CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Page 2 H 3, 810,885 Dated May 18,1978

Patent No. I i e ROBERT BUCQURT ANDRE P-IERDET, JEAN-CLAUDE GASC and It is eertified that: error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters latent are hereby corrected as shown below:

THE PATEN'f :QEZLICA'TION 3 1 y y m? 63' l 25 "ethrz nyl" shou ld .be 4

l i V I -'-e-th ynyl--r 3 75 4 j 28 I 1 lazol 585818 be' 78 30 in I "C,=CH" should. be

--CE CH--- 15- 11 3o 20 "16" should be -l7B-- I 16 3O 33 21L "vauum' should be --vaouum- Signed and sealed this 26th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

